Axletree.



PATENTED FEB. 12, 1907.

J. A. LEASE.

AXLETREE. APPLIOATION FILED' MAY 14. 190e.

INVENTOR.

v WITNESSES: fsfcf TH E None/s Erfns JESSE A. LEASE, OE TOLEDO, oi-no.

AXLETREE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 12, 1907.

Appumion ned May 14,1906. serial No. 316.357.

To all whom, it may concern: Be it known that I, JESSE A. LEASE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Toledo,'in the county of Lucasand State of Ghio, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements. in Axletrees; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact-description :of the invention, such as wil-l enable others skilled yin the art to which i-t appertains to make and use the same, reference being had -to the accompanying drawings, `and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form apart of this specification.-A f --My invention relates to wagon construction, and particularly to axletrees therefor; and it has for its primary object to improve upon and strengthen the construction of hollow pipe ax-letrees by the provision of a simple reinforcing means at the points of greatest strain thereon.

. A further ob ject of my invention is the provision of an improved form of truss for the axletree which has connection with and is tightened :by'a tightening of the stay-chainhook clip. Further objects of my invention, as well as the arrangement and construction of the partsV thereof, will be apparent by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which-y vzFigure 1 is a side elevation of my improved axletree with the endV portions thereof shown in central longitudinal section. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of a portion thereof. Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on the dotted line :t a; in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the lower member of the stay-chain-hook clip.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the axletree proper, which consists of a length of metal tubing of suitable strength and size, as shown. The usual axle-bar 2 is mounted on the top of the tubing 1 and has its ends abutting against the skeins or thimbles 3, which. are mounted over the ends of the axle in proper position for their outer bearing-surfaces 4 to receive the bearing-thrust of the inner end portions of the hub-boxes 5. These skeins or thimbles are formed intermediate their ends with annular ledges or shoulders 6, which abut against the inner ends of the hubboxes 5, and each has its lower portion formed with an inward extension 7, which hugs the under side of the axletree 1 and terminates in an outwardly-projecting lug or spur S, having its inner face tapered, as at 9,

for the purpose hereinafter described. The skeins or thimbles?) may be shrunk onthe axletree 1 or secured thereto by set-screws l() or in any other suitable manner.

The axle-bar `2 is secured to the axle 1 by the usual end clips 11 and center clip .12, the former of which connect withV the lower clamping bars or members 13, which carry the stay-chain hooks 13il and engage theunder side of the extensions 7 of the skeins or thimbles 3 in flush. position with the tapered surfaces 9 thereof, while the latter connects with the center truss-block 14. Thistrussblock is shaped to fit closely against theunder side of the axle 1 and is formed centrally with the perforated ears 1421, with whichfthe terminals of the clip 12 connect, as shown, and has its ends terminating in downwardly and outwardly extending arms 14h.. These arms are each provided at their ends with the two laterally-disposed inwardly-bent fingers 14C, which form hooks for engaging the two truss-rods 15 and preventing a relative spreading thereof at their center. vThe two truss-rods 15 each have their'corresponding ends extending on opposite sides of the extensions 7 of the skeins 'or thimbles 3 and are connected together at the outer side of the associated clamping member 13 by the integral bowed portions 15'DL of said rods, thus uniting the two rods together at their ends. The clamps13, which are interposed between the tapered faces of the lugs orspurs Sand the bowed portions 15EL of the truss-rods, are intended to act as tightening means for such rods by reason of said clamps being. forced laterally when the nuts on theclips 11 vare tightened, the outward. movement beingy Occasioned by the contact of the inner edge of the clamp with the taper of the lugs or spurs 8, as shown in Fig. 1. The clamps 13 have their body portions shaped to conform to the bowed ends of the truss-rods, as shown in Fig. 4, so that a direct pull will be communicated to the rods at their points of connection with the bowed portions 15a thereof. In positioning the truss-rods their centers are first compressed together to enable them to be engaged with the hooks 1.4C on the trussblock 14, the bowed ends thereof then placed over the extensions 7 of the skeins or thimbles 3, and the clips 11 and their clamps 13 then secured together and tightened, Whereby to tighten the truss-rods and lock their ends to the axletree.

Inserted in each end of the tubing 1, form IOO IIO

ltightening key or wrench.

ing the axletree, is a tubular reinforcing-lining 16, which has its outer end flush with the end of the tubing 1 and its inner end extending sufficiently far therein to pass the point of strain on the spindle, as shown in Fig. 1. These linings are secured within the tubing 1 either by shrinking the same thereon or in any other suitable manner. The outer ends of the linings 16 are threaded internally to receive the threaded plugs 17, which are headed or flanged at their outer ends to adapt them to act as the usual wheel-retaining burs. A socket 18 is provided inthe head of each plug for the reception of a One advantage incident to the internal threading` of the axle ends is to obviate the use of washers, as it is vthereby possible to cut off an amount of stock from the ends of the axle necessary to compensate for the longitudinal play of the hub-boxes thereon.

A further feature of my invention is the provision, in combination with the ledges 6 of the skeins or thimbles 3 and the heads of the plugs 17, of elongated or elliptical antifriction-balls 19, which are positioned to receive the end thrusts of the hub-boxes 5 when the axletree is disposed on an incline, These balls are mounted in pockets 20, drilled radially in the peripheries of the ledges 6 of the skeins 3 and the heads of the plugs 17, and have their inner sides partially ex osed to permit of a slight projecting of the earingsurfaces of the bals. Bands 21 are shrunk upon the ledges 6 and the heads of the plugs 17 to retain the balls within their pockets. By making the balls elliptical in shape a broader bearing-surface is provided for contact with the ends ofthe hub-boxes.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with a hollow axletree, of tubular reinforcing-linings secured in 4 5 its ends and extending inwardly beyond the point of strain of the axletree and internally threaded at their outer ends, and headed plugs threaded to said linings, substantially as described.

2. The combination with an axletree, of a center truss-block secured thereto and having its ends projecting outwardly and downwardly and each formed with a pair of hooked fingers, double truss-rods locking with said fingers, and means for tightening said rods at their ends.y

3. The combination with an axletree, of skeins mounted thereon and having taperedfaced lugs formed on the under sides thereof, a center truss-block, double truss-rods having their central portions in engagement with the center block and their ends connected and looped over the skeins, and means disposed between said looped ends and the tapered faces of said lugs adapted when drawn toward the axletree to cause a tightening of the truss-rods.

4. The combination with an axletree, of skeins mounted thereon and each provided on its under surface with tapered lugs, staychain-hook clips clamped to the axletree with their cross-bars shaped to seat against the skeins and their inner edges coacting with the tapered faces of the lugs,a center truss-block, having hooked fingers, and a pair of truss-rods having their central portions in sliding engagement with the fingers of the center block and their contiguous ends connected and bowed around the under sides of the skeins and in contact with the outer edges of said cross-bar, whereby as the clip is tightened the cross-bar is forced inwardly and laterally to effect a tightening of the truss-rods.

In testimony whereof l have hereunto signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JESSE A. LEASE.

Vitnesses C. W. OWEN, HAZEL B. HIETT. 

